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Cary Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

The time following a workplace injury can be incredibly stressful. Medical expenses, lost income, and mounting bills can create uncertainty about your future and your ability to support your family. However, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits that provide financial relief during your recovery.
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Content Last Updated:

July 27, 2026

Our Cary workers’ compensation lawyers can handle every step of your claim, fighting for the full benefits you deserve while helping you avoid common mistakes that can lead to delays or denials. Our bilingual staff is available around the clock to assist. Get started today with a free consultation by calling 800-525-7111 or filling out our online form.

Why Choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Your Cary Workers’ Compensation Case

With over 40 years of experience serving injured North Carolinians, Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is a family-run law firm committed to fighting for justice. Led by father-daughter attorney partners, we combine thorough preparation, strategic insight, and disciplined case management to reach the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Our team offers in-depth knowledge of workers’ comp claims. Attorney Adam Smith is a Board-Certified specialist in workers’ compensation law, a credential recognized by the North Carolina State Bar and held by very few attorneys statewide (see disclaimer below). As a Cary native, attorney Christina Stone focuses on workers’ compensation claims and is proud to assist those in her hometown who have been injured in workplace accidents.

If you have questions about workers’ compensation, let our family provide the legal support you need. We serve Cary and all of Wake County from our Raleigh office at 4600 Marriott Drive.

A board certified specialist in North Carolina is a lawyer who has met certain criteria to apply to the state bar to be considered an expert in that field of his practice. For example, our state bar has approved experts and specialist in the field of workers compensation, family law, trust and estates, social security disability, and criminal law. However, our state has not recognized the specialty in the work of personal injury. I think one of the reasons for that is because personal injury is so varied. It includes car accidents, truck accidents, slipfalls, and any type of general injury. Riddle and Riddle has a worker’s compensation specialist. His name is Adam Smith. If you were injured on the job, give us a call today.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits Available to Injured Cary Workers

When you’re hurt on the job, you may qualify to receive financial relief through the North Carolina workers’ compensation system. These benefits can provide support in two ways:

  • Medical care: Full coverage for all necessary and reasonable medical treatment related to your work injury
  • Wage replacement: Weekly checks equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, up to the state’s annually adjusted cap

Your ability to work after the accident determines which disability category applies to your injury, including:

  • Temporary total disability: Weekly benefits generally equal to two-thirds of your average weekly wage, subject to statutory limits, while a compensable injury prevents you from working
  • Temporary partial disability: Benefits generally equal to two-thirds of the difference between your preinjury wages and the wages you are able to earn after the injury
  • Permanent partial disability: Compensation for permanent impairment to certain body parts or functions, generally based on the statutory schedule and an assigned impairment rating
  • Permanent total disability: Potential lifetime benefits for certain severe injuries specifically identified under North Carolina law

Because every case is unique, it’s often a good idea to work with an experienced lawyer who understands the process and can help you access the benefits you need to recover.

What benefits can you receive for North Carolina workers compensation claim? I’m Gene Riddle with Riddle and Riddle Injury Attorneys. I’ve been doing this for over 40 years. And the benefits that you can receive for such an injury are as follows. Number one, the insurance carrier will pay for all of your approved medical treatment. Number two, the insurance carrier will pay your lost wages at the rate of twothirds of your average weekly wage until your approved doctor returns you to work. And number three, the insurance carrier will pay for any permanent injury to any body part that is assigned by your treating approved physician or pay it for scarring and disfigurement. At Riddle and Riddle, we know each case is different and that’s why we had a North Carolina State Bar certified workers compensation specialist to help win maximum recovery for you. Give us a call today. We’re here and we’re ready to help you get maximum compensation for your North Carolina workers compensation injury case.

How To File a Workers’ Comp Claim With the North Carolina Industrial Commission

We know it can be difficult to know what to do after a workplace accident, but acting quickly can help protect your rights and financial stability. The general steps to file a workers’ compensation claim in North Carolina include:

Report the Incident in Writing

Notify your employer about the injury in writing within 30 days of the accident. Missing this deadline could affect your eligibility for workers’ comp benefits.

Seek Authorized Treatment

Get medical care from a provider approved by your employer or their insurance administrator. Tell the healthcare provider that your injury is related to work and the name of your employer.

Be Cautious About Making Statements

It may be a good idea to avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without first consulting an attorney. There’s a possibility you could inadvertently harm your claim without legal guidance.

File Form 18

You must file Form 18 (Notice of Accident to Employer and Claim of Employee) directly with the North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) within two years of your injury.

Additionally, your employer is required to file Form 19 to report the injury, but this document does not count as your official claim filing. Relying on your employer’s Form 19 submission can result in missing your legal deadline. Our North Carolina workers’ compensation lawyers can manage the claims process for you, guiding you through all requirements and filing crucial paperwork on your behalf.

What To Do if Your Cary Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied

Insurance carriers may push back by denying that your injury is work-related, disputing your medical treatment, or challenging disability ratings. They may also delay your weekly payments or pressure you to return to work before you heal.

If your claim is contested, our Cary workers’ compensation attorneys can fight back by requesting a formal hearing before the NCIC.

To protect your benefits, we gather detailed medical documentation and use investigative evidence, such as witness statements or security footage, to strengthen your position and establish the true impact of your injury. Reach out to our workers’ comp lawyers to learn more about how we can assist after a claim denial.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cary Workers’ Comp Claims

Can I Choose My Own Doctor for a Workers’ Comp Claim in NC?

In North Carolina, your employer or their insurance carrier generally has the right to select the treating physician for your work injury. However, if you are unhappy with their choice, you can formally request a change of doctor through the North Carolina Industrial Commission.

North Carolina law prohibits an employer from firing or otherwise retaliating against an employee because the employee filed or pursued a good-faith workers’ compensation claim. However, filing a claim does not prevent an employer from taking action for a legitimate, nonretaliatory reason. If your employer terminates your employment in retaliation, you may have grounds to file a separate Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA) lawsuit against them. Generally, a claim should be filed within 180 days of the retaliatory action, and may later receive the right to bring a civil lawsuit.

Even if your employer labels you as an independent contractor, the NCIC looks at the actual level of control the company has over your daily work to determine your true status. If the company sets your hours, provides your tools, and directs your duties, you may legally qualify as an employee who is fully entitled to workers’ comp benefits. Speak with a work injury lawyer in Cary, NC, to determine if you qualify to file a claim.
If someone outside of your employer, such as a negligent driver or a faulty equipment manufacturer, caused your workplace injury, it may be possible to pursue a separate third-party personal injury lawsuit. This third-party claim allows you to seek additional damages, such as pain and suffering, which are generally not covered by standard workers’ compensation benefits.

Speak With a Cary Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today

When Justice Counts™, you can count on Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers. Our team can protect your right to workers’ compensation benefits and pursue the full value of your claim to support your recovery.

Our initial consultations are always free, and there is no upfront cost to hire us. Call 800-525-7111 or contact us online to schedule your free case review today.

Free Case Review

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t have to carry the burden alone. Riddle & Riddle provides the support you need to seek a fair outcome.

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